#AtoZChallenge in China: Xuānwǔmén Church

Today’s #AtoZChallenge: We visit the Xuānwǔmén Tiānzhǔtáng (宣武门天主堂) or the Xuanwumen Church, just southwest of the Forbidden City. It is situated in one of the demolished gates in Beijing’s ancient imperial city fortifications.

Actually, the Xuānwǔmén Church is a colloquial name used mostly by expats who go there to hear the Mass. The church’s formally known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception a.k.a. Nántáng (南堂 or “the South Church”). Its original foundation was built in the 1600’s, making Xuānwǔmén the oldest Catholic church in Beijing.
With more than 400 years of history and still counting, Xuānwǔmén Church has been a witness to the changes in Beijing. It has survived the Ming and Qing Dynasties, fires, and conflicts and wars.

What’s interesting is that the church is situated on the southwestern side of the old imperial fortress in Beijing. Its namesake, xuānwǔmén or literally the “Gate of Martial Advocacy” had been the exit point of prisoners for execution. Also, funeral carts exited the city through the gate.

When the Xuanwumen was informally referred to as the “Death Gate”, because carts carrying prisoners for execution were taken through this gate to the execution ground, located in Caishikou, to the south. Beijing’s many cemeteries were located in and around Taoranting in the southern suburbs. Funeral carts carrying commoners would often leave the city through Xuanwumen.
After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, many of the imperial city’s fortifications, including Xuanwumen were slowly dismantled. The gate was completely demolished in 1965 to give way to the construction of a subway station, just in front of the church.
So there you go! Thanks for reading. Next on #AtoZChallenge in China is a popular Chinese song that means “actor.”
All photos are taken by me.

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See more of my #AtoZChallenge: Chinese Adventure